Do you guys still get "regular" sicknesses?

The common cold, bronchitis, stuff like that?

I haven't gotten anything since a couple years after I got sick, though I have been around plenty of infected people over the past few years. I kind of miss them actually. Those sorts of ailments feel.. healthy, you know? Like, your immune system is working.

But, yeah, I'm sure some of you who've gotten a bit better might, but what about the people who are still very compromised by their infection(s)? Do you?

Just curious. Thanks, guys!

I haven't gotten anything - no cold, no flu since I've had lyme symptoms.

It's strange because with Lyme your immune system is supposedly suffering...but is it a different part of the immune system? Why wouldn't I get colds or flus in the past almost two years?

I find this interesting. I haven't been sick in a long time. Everyone in my household has had numerous illnesses and I haven't caught anything. I just thought my immune system was kitting butt. Then I started researching it. There seems to be three different thought processes out there.

One, your immune is doing it's job and your stuffy, runny nose is an immune response. So people that catch colds have a healthy immune system. So people who do not catch colds have a poor or compromised immune system.

Two, people that do not catch colds have a healthy immune system.

Three, they have an elongated something (can't remember the name) that protects the body from colds.

What would happen if you get a virus and your body doesn't mount a immune response? If you think about different viruses, it's not the virus that kills, it's the immune system's response that kills.

Very confusing!

Similar to lymie mom, I haven't caught any colds or viruses in many years and I'm in contact with a lot of sick people owning a vitamin store. Bacterial infections I still get such as sinus infections. My theory is a little different. I believe our immune systems are hyper-vigilant because they're always trying to get to the Lyme and co's so we're able to fight off viruses easier than those without chronic infections. Kind of like what's involved with auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis for example where the treatment is to actually suppress the immune system.

Wow, first off, thanks for the responses, guys! 7 may not seem like much, but it's a lot for me. I appreciate it.

Again, same here, with the people being in a similar boat of not getting any of the more traditional sicknesses. Like I said, I've been around sick people so many times, some even with really bad cases of the flu, stomach bugs, that decimate the entire household, and nothing - somebody could cough right in my face. It's definitely weird, and, again, just sad, cause I really do miss them.

As for all the different schools of thought regarding why, I really can't say. Though, I get the feeling that there may be weight to all of them, 'cause, you know, just as some of your responses differ, so may your body's responses to all of the stuff. I can agree with all of you.

The immune system's too compromised to respond, so the bugs sort of just fall by the wayside.

ToddPaul's thoughts on it draw a nice picture though. Like, imagine a decade or so from now (sooner would be great, but.. what can ya do), researchers isolate whatever about the bacteria causes the immune system to go into hyper speed, and it's used to cure all sorts of super bugs of the future. Heck, imagine if they could twist it and make it attack the very infections that trigger it, you know? Kinda like what's done to make vaccines, but a cure instead. That'd be great.

The bacterial infections, couldn't they just be manifestations of Lyme and whatnot? If not that, maybe... something having to do with the fact that it was bacteria that shook a lot of our immune systems, so, for whatever reason on a scientific level, they still kind of respond to bacteria? I dunno.

And, teragram, or rather Margaret, while I know you are still probably going through some stuff regarding this and other things, to me, having an immune system that functions in response to the sorts of things an average person catches, albeit poorly, is somewhat of a good thing. You may not feel the same way. I would understand. Though it goes without saying, I am no expert either. But, yeah.

Anyway, again, thanks for responding, everybody! Good luck with.. everything. I hope everybody can get back to a point where.. you can get one of those, again, more "common" colds and.. maybe smile, cause it's not Lyme or another tbi, cause your body's back to what most would consider normal.

I want that for you.

Cya around..

I have only had one bad cold in 1-1/2 years now. Its weird.

Up here in the frozen North everybody gets several colds a year.

Its from the immune boosting supplements the Dr has me take, or I'm on a role with lady luck.

(hope I didn't just jinx myself)

Great post!
I have had my Lyme symptoms for 14 months and no colds or flu for me neither.
I always thought it was a little weird, but I never would of thought it was Lyme related.

Thanks for sharing!

Wow, I love all the theories, way to exercise our brain power and keep it healthy! :)

As for other bacterial infections being manifestations of lyme...I do think that could be the case with my kidney and UTI issues however, the strep throat was provided by both my children so count that out, at least for me.

Here's a few of examples to support the ToddPaul's theory that the immune system is going gang-busters with the lyme & co when presented with viruses:

1. My personal experience with autoimmunity levels. While my TSI, TPO, and RA levels still fall within "normal" ranges, they have increased over time as the lyme has progressed. My RA level in particular, as tested a month ago, is right at the highest end of normal. No coincidence as one of my first and greatest signs of lyme was joint pain with redness and swelling. My hands were so bad that my husband thought I had been working out bare fisted on the punching bag!

To me, this screams of an immune system going bananas after anything and everything. I once saw a meme on Pinterest regarding autoimmunity that said "My immune system is so good that it kicks it's own butt" or something like that.

2. My daughter is immune compromised due to one of the medications she takes for a rare endocrine condition. This child brings home every illness under the sun! When she was younger, it was worse. There were times where week after week she would have a new illness and I thought for sure I would lose my job from having to miss so much work to take care of her! My son however, rarely seems to get sick and both children were breastfed...which leads me to #3

3. Breastfeeding- Breastfeeding boosts immunity. Studies show this immunity provides resistance to illness early in life and resistance to disease later in life. Illnesses are generally less severe and lengthy for those babies who have received breastmilk.

http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/benefits.asp
http://www.llli.org/faq/prevention.html

With an immunity boost, the illnesses are less severe and less frequent.

Maybe genetics play a part too? My husband will catch the occasional cold (about every other year or 2 years) but I have only seen him with the stomach flu once in 15 years regardless how often it was around the house!! And he is healthy as a horse, never had any major illnesses or diseases, surgeries, etc.

Just some thoughts to add to the discussion!

Flossie - maybe wait a few more days before you take off the face mask..lol